When choreographer Sanam Johar made his acting debut in Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin this February, his real-life partner, actress Abigail Pande was understandably nervous. The reason? Sanam, a first-time actor, was nothing like his on-screen character, Ruturaj. But did he manage to impress his girlfriend with his performance? Read on to find out…
In a development that fans may have seen coming, Sanam Johar, who stepped into the shoes of Ruturaj Rane in Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, is set to bid farewell to the long-running Star Plus drama. The role, which marked his acting debut in February, introduced a new dimension to the dancer-turned-actor’s career. While Sanam himself has yet to open up about his experience on the show or the reasons behind his departure, his partner in real life, Abigail Pande, couldn’t be more proud of his journey.
“I’m not at liberty to comment on the storyline involving Sanam Johar, and would prefer to leave it to him to speak about it,” Abigail Pande says, brimming with pride. “But I can confidently say that he’s incredibly optimistic and always knows how to learn from every chapter and move on to bigger and better things in life.”
She also didn’t hold back when speaking about her initial reaction to Sanam’s acting debut. “Honestly, when I first found out about the storyline and the character he’d be portraying, I was quite nervous for him,” she admits with a laugh.
Abigail Pande adds, “I know Sanam too well; he’s nothing like Ruturaj! He’s not even a little bit cunning. He wouldn’t hurt a fly; he’s genuinely one of the kindest, most soft-hearted people you’ll ever meet. So I was like, ‘How is he going to pull this off?’ I even joked that he’s such a bad actor!”
However, those doubts quickly faded as she watched him blossom on screen. Abigail Pande shares, “He’s opened up so beautifully in front of the camera. I absolutely love watching his performances; every scene he’s in draws you in. What surprised me the most was how effortlessly he let go of all inhibitions, despite this being his very first show. Of course, he’s always been a natural performer thanks to his background on stage, but acting — really becoming a character — is a whole different game.”
Abigail Pande’s pride in Sanam’s progress is unmistakable. “It’s been such a joy to see him having fun with the dialogues and growing with each episode. I think I’ve just been continuously, pleasantly surprised. I know how hardworking he is and how deeply he commits to anything he does. So I have no doubt he’s going to achieve incredible things in whatever comes next,” she ends with a smile.
